Miguel Tabuena will carry the Philippines' hopes as the sole local participant in a tournament that also features two former golf major champions Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.
Golf royalty is set to grace Philippine soil as the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna rolls out its green carpet.
From former Masters champions Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel, and Patrick Reed to 2010 British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen, the star power will be undeniable when the country hosts the International Series for the first time from October 23-26.
The $2-million Asian Tour event, presented by BingoPlus, will feature one of the most decorated fields ever assembled for a golf tournament in the Philippines — a milestone for the sport as it seeks to grow its presence in the country.
“This will be my first time playing in the Philippines, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Watson, who is the current captain of LIV Golf’s RangeGoats GC, said in a press release.
He added: “Golf is global, so getting to be involved when it’s reaching new places is really cool. Meeting fans who are new to golf and excited about it is always inspiring to me. I really hope we can spark something special here and maybe even inspire the next generation of golfers.”
Reed will arrive in the tournament with much-needed momentum after winning the Dallas stop of LIV Golf — his first victory on the circuit this year.
“The International Series allowed me to compete against players from across Asia, who continue to raise their game through the experience gained at these high-profile events. I’m looking forward to playing in front of a new audience of golf and sports fans in the Philippines,” Reed bared.
Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, is coming off strong performances, including a top-10 finish at the International Series Morocco and multiple top-15 results on LIV Golf, including a runner-up finish in Miami. Meanwhile, Oosthuizen brings his pedigree with two top-five finishes on LIV Golf this season.
And in a star-studded field, Miguel Tabuena stands as the Philippines' sole representative.
A multiple-time winner on the Asian Tour and the country's top-ranked golfer, Tabuena finished second in the 2023 Asian Tour Order of Merit and seventh in 2024.
“It’s an honor to represent my country at the first-ever International Series event here. I know how much this tournament can do for golf in the Philippines, and I’m proud to be part of it,” Tabuena spoke.
The International Series Philippines is the seventh of 10 elevated Asian Tour events, offering pathway to the LIV Golf League.
“We’re not only delivering a world-class field, but we’re also laying the foundation for the long-term growth of the game here,” said International Series head Rahul Singh. “With major champions like Bubba, Patrick, Louis, and Charl competing alongside local heroes like Miguel, fans are in for a truly special week of golf.”